He has been principal investigator in numerous glaucoma clinical trials. Concurrent with his research, Dr Budenz has been published widely in the field of glaucoma; he has authored a textbook, Atlas of Visual Fields, contributed chapters to several other books, and written or coauthored more than 200 peer-reviewed journal articles.

Dr Budenz is the recipient of a Golden Apple Award for Best Resident Teacher (University of Pennsylvania, School of Medicine) and has received the teaching award for Best Course in the Department of Epidemiology and Public Health at the University of Miami. He has received Humanitarian of the Year awards from the American Academy of Ophthalmology and American Glaucoma Society for his work in Ghana, West Africa.